These are the first short little brushes I've purchased and I really like them. The only thing I have to kind of compare them to are flux brushes used for soldering - these blow those away! Bristle retention is awesome and the 3 I bought have stood up to some monumental abuse...I just keep washing and using them over and over. Adhesives, paints, gesso, all sorts of mixed media grounds and top coats, acrylic sealants, sizing for metal leaf - they even blended some chalks when I was too lazy to go to my studio to get the "right" supplies. I will be buying Blick's supply of these - I LOVE THEM!! One of the best little deals I've ever found.